Database Info

Galaxy Nexus unlock

Hello,
This is my first post after being referred to you guys for help from a couple of friends.
Was soooo happy to become an owner of a new galxy nexus from 3 on pay as you go. Was given a number to 3 to be able to unlock it and was told it would be no problem.
Tried to do that as soon as I got home and was told they couldn't locate the IMEI number and would take 2 weeks for it to be sorted out!
Obviously I'm dying to use my lovely new phone and so upset I've not got this problem. Is there anything else I can do to unlock the phone?
Thanks

Ami-Jane said:
Hello,
This is my first post after being referred to you guys for help from a couple of friends.
Was soooo happy to become an owner of a new galxy nexus from 3 on pay as you go. Was given a number to 3 to be able to unlock it and was told it would be no problem.
Tried to do that as soon as I got home and was told they couldn't locate the IMEI number and would take 2 weeks for it to be sorted out!
Obviously I'm dying to use my lovely new phone and so upset I've not got this problem. Is there anything else I can do to unlock the phone?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus S (or any Nexus branded phone) shouldn't be locked. Did you tried different SIM?

Yep should work right away with any carrier... worst case scenario you have to enter the APN settings manually.

[c]K said:
Yep should work right away with any carrier... worst case scenario you have to enter the APN settings manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not true. If you buy it from a carrier they will have it locked to their network. Be patient, the unlock code should come soon. The GN is still brand new
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

nbeebe24 said:
That's not true. If you buy it from a carrier they will have it locked to their network. Be patient, the unlock code should come soon. The GN is still brand new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's interesting. i also thought, that the nexuses are never locked?! isn't it a statement by google, that a nexus phone always has to stay free, no matter where it's sold?
well, mine however is not locked, even though i bought it from a carrier...

if this is a CDMA phone if youre talking about the ESN of the phone and they flashed a different firmware for a different carrier [i.e. Sprint to Cricket] they will not release the ESN...call your carrier if CDMA and ask them the status of the ESN it usually starts with 268 or 270...
if this is a GSM phone...well it should be unlocked by default

Just for the record, I'd like to confirm, that my GN is coming from Vodafone Ireland, in the shop they said it is SIM locked to VF-IE, but when I tried different SIMs, irish/non-irish either, all worked well, no sign of the network lock.

yeah GNex should be unlocked

I did something stupid

I bought a HTC one s for 200$ off of Craiglist (first time buying anything from there) came home and tried putting a SIM card in it doesn't get any signal. So i called tmobile up and they said to me the phone was block for fraud and they told me there isn't anything they can do about it. I tried calling n texting the seller back he would not respond. Is there anything i can do with the phone now or am i just stuck with the way the phone is now?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

igotdez said:
I bought a HTC one s for 200$ off of Craiglist (first time buying anything from there) came home and tried putting a SIM card in it doesn't get any signal. So i called tmobile up and they said to me the phone was block for fraud and they told me there isn't anything they can do about it. I tried calling n texting the seller back he would not respond. Is there anything i can do with the phone now or am i just stuck with the way the phone is now?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not much you can do as far as T-mobile.
It could be SIM unlock to use on a different network, ie AT&T.
Meant to "quote" but gave you a "Thanks" LOL

i tried the free method of unlocking it but that didn't work. I thought i was coming up with the wrong code but turns out it was the correct code because i tried a online website that charge to unlock it and they gave me the same exact code i came up with and still haven't had any luck
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Did you use a SIM card from a different carrier than T-mobile?

baseballfanz said:
Did you use a SIM card from a different carrier than T-mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i tried using my at&t SIM card but every time i try to type the unlock code in it would tell me unsuccessful unlock. I tried it at least 4 times.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

igotdez said:
Yeah i tried using my at&t SIM card but every time i try to type the unlock code in it would tell me unsuccessful unlock. I tried it at least 4 times.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I do see some peoples say their unlock code don't work either.

baseballfanz said:
Yeah I do see some peoples say their unlock code don't work either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious as to why it will not work, is it because the phone imei was block by tmobile. Would that also block me from unlocking it. I look everywhere online n i can't seem to find a solution.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I have no idea what you can do OP but damn that sucks. Good luck with resolving it... now I'm going to think twice before buying a phone from Craiglist.

Always power up, insert sim and make a test call, text and data pull with any used phone purchase. Put the screen through tests, and the touch sensor. Test the headphone jack and all buttons. Look at water damage indicators.

There is a sim unlock thread in development section have you tried it? The only way than would be to change your imei though thats ILLEGAL! As ILLEGAL as stealing and buying the steal!

mughalgxt said:
There is a sim unlock thread in development section have you tried it? The only way than would be to change your imei though thats ILLEGAL! As ILLEGAL as stealing and buying the steal!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that thread did everything correct but had no luck unlocking it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

igotdez said:
I tried that thread did everything correct but had no luck unlocking it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the wifi work fine? Hopefully it isn't a hardware issue!

Everything works fine the phone is practically new it came with the original box and everything. Its just block by T-Mobile carrier. I'll go check at a local cell phone shop and see if they can unlock it, to see if it works on another carrier. If it doesn't then got damnit I'm stuck with the phone way it is....
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

Making call., send text , .... On the phone before you buy still not enough. There are some asshole out there sell the phone;
1) then report stolen (assume they have insurance ) . Then whatever you do still meaningless.
2) they are on value plan ( they pay full price for thier phone in 20 month). Then they stop using tmobile.
=> both cases above will make tmobile lock your phone.
The most safety way to buy phone on craoglist now is have proof of purchase from the owner.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app

A proof of purchase from seller on CL does not insure you won't have these fraud problems.
To OP, I would file a police report.

baseballfanz said:
A proof of purchase from seller on CL does not insure you won't have these fraud problems.
To OP, I would file a police report.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, with proof of purchase that shows the seller is the one who bought the phone from tmobile, then you can contact tmobile so they can unlock your phone and make the seller pays for what he/she did. If you file a police report, i assume they wouldn't do anything except you have to turn in the phone you bought. There are several topics on XDA discuss about this problem and the only loser is the buyer. I'm feel sorry for OP.
P/s: nasty things like this are happening more often on Craigslist lately, this is why i won't buy phone from craigslist anymore.

tritran18518 said:
no, with proof of purchase that shows the seller is the one who bought the phone from tmobile, then you can contact tmobile so they can unlock your phone and make the seller pays for what he/she did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What these people are doing is buying the phone on a payment plan. Sell the phone on CL and not make the payments to Tmobile. Sometimes phone will work for a month till it get BL. There's no disputing that it was bought from Tmobile but no payment to then equal BL phone.

baseballfanz said:
What these people are doing is buying the phone on a payment plan. Sell the phone on CL and not make the payments to Tmobile. Sometimes phone will work for a month till it get BL. There's no disputing that it was bought from Tmobile but no payment to then equal BL phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's the case make me pissed off. By BL a phone because some one not pay money for them, Tmobile just wastes their phone, make the buyer become such a loser and pretty angry to tmobile them-self . however, the winner is the a**hole who sold the phone...

Weirdest thing is that it can't be unlocked ?? Gosh
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Not sure how it works in the States but here in the UK if your phone gets blocked it'll be blocked on all UK carriers.
If you put any sim card it checks against a database and notifies that it's barred.
No way around it apart from changing IMEI which is ILLEGAL.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Q] How to tell if an AT&T One X is SIM unlocked?

Hey everyone, I buy and sell phones for some extra money in my free time, and I just bought an AT&T One X. The guy I bought it from said it was unlocked, and while I don't have any reason to doubt him, I do not want to risk negative reputation on eBay by advertising it as SIM unlocked without knowing firsthand. The problem is that I don't have a T-Mobile or other non-AT&T SIM to try in it. Is there any other way to find out whether or not the phone is SIM unlocked? Thanks a lot!

I think the only way is with another sim card
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app

954wrecker said:
I think the only way is with another sim card
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if an AT&T store would be able to check.

Buy a $10 T-Mobile sim and stick it in. If it prompts for unlock code, he lied.
Sent from my JellyBlueX

mmapcpro said:
Buy a $10 T-Mobile sim and stick it in. If it prompts for unlock code, he lied.
Sent from my JellyBlueX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will work without a T-Mobile plan? Sorry, I'm not accustomed to GSM phones as I've only ever had CDMA phones for personal use.

yes, a sim card from any other carrier should work to tell if it's carrier locked.
just make sure you get the right size i.e. microsim

dawinger said:
yes, a sim card from any other carrier should work to tell if it's carrier locked.
just make sure you get the right size i.e. microsim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm going to take it to an AT&T store and see if they can tell me, and if not, I'll try that. Or just forget about advertising it as unlocked.

ropp29 said:
Thanks. I'm going to take it to an AT&T store and see if they can tell me, and if not, I'll try that. Or just forget about advertising it as unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're going to a store, I would think you are better off going to a T-Mobile one! They have SIMs for demo purposes. Ask if you can put on in your One X for 2 minutes.

At&t won't know anything in the store. Any old sim from any old provider will work. At&t has these phones exclusively until 11/6/12 and that's the date they will let them be unlocked. That does not mean the person you got it from didn't use a service to unlock it. Checking with another sim is the quickest way to find out.
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app

954wrecker said:
At&t won't know anything in the store. Any old sim from any old provider will work. At&t has these phones exclusively until 11/6/12 and that's the date they will let them be unlocked. That does not mean the person you got it from didn't use a service to unlock it. Checking with another sim is the quickest way to find out.
Sent from my SGH-T679 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will an unactivated T-Mobile SIM work? Or does it have to be one attached to an active plan?

ropp29 said:
Will an unactivated T-Mobile SIM work? Or does it have to be one attached to an active plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
think needs to be active, don't you have friends that are on tmobile, you can just swap sim cards for a few minutes or has someone else suggested go to a tmobile store and tell them you are interested in tmobile service but you wanna make sure it works on your phone.

I took it to a T-Mobile store and their microSIM did not work and there was an icon in the status bar indicating some sort of SIM error. However, it did not prompt for an unlock code. Could it be that the phone is unlocked but it needs some APN tweaks or something to work with the T-Mobile SIM?

I'm almost 100% positive any sim will work other than ATT regardless if its new or old or activated or non activated.
---------- Post added at 03:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 PM ----------
ropp29 said:
I took it to a T-Mobile store and their microSIM did not work and there was an icon in the status bar indicating some sort of SIM error. However, it did not prompt for an unlock code. Could it be that the phone is unlocked but it needs some APN tweaks or something to work with the T-Mobile SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the phone is unlocked or it would have asked you for the sim unlock code. The issue with T-mobile sim cards working on the AT&T one x is a whole different topic.

954wrecker said:
I'm almost 100% positive any sim will work other than ATT regardless if its new or old or activated or non activated.
---------- Post added at 03:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 PM ----------
Yes the phone is unlocked or it would have asked you for the sim unlock code. The issue with T-mobile sim cards working on the AT&T one x is a whole different topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I'll go ahead and advertise it as unlocked but with a warning to T-Mobile users.

T-mobile customers simply need to use an older SIM card (50.01 written on it) for the data to work and picture messages. Hopefully they already have one and they can just cut it down to fit.
---------- Post added at 03:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:13 PM ----------
Chances are they already know and then again chances are you will probably be selling it to an ATT customer I'm guessing if its in the USA

Thanks everybody for all the help! I'm a noob when it comes to GSM so I appreciate it. Sounds like it's unlocked.

ropp29 said:
Thanks everybody for all the help! I'm a noob when it comes to GSM so I appreciate it. Sounds like it's unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is unlocked for use on other GSM networks that support its bands.

How did u find out?
ropp29 said:
I took it to a T-Mobile store and their microSIM did not work and there was an icon in the status bar indicating some sort of SIM error. However, it did not prompt for an unlock code. Could it be that the phone is unlocked but it needs some APN tweaks or something to work with the T-Mobile SIM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did u find out if it was unlocked, when u got an error after putting in a t-mobile SIM? I too have the same problem. when i put in a t-mobile SIM, it says SIM not recognized. The SIM was taken out from nexus 4 and is an active SIM.

[Q] How to activate on Sprint?

I am switching from AT&T to Sprint and I just purchased the Unlocked Nexus 5 on Google Play. What exactly do I have to do in order to activate my phone on the Sprint Network? I am used to just popping my SIM card into the new phone and it works but I know Sprint is a CDMA network and does not use SIM cards.
1. How do I get the phone activated on Sprint
2. Will it run just as good on Sprint as it would on AT&T? It will still work with LTE right?

jedinegotiator said:
I am switching from AT&T to Sprint and I just purchased the Unlocked Nexus 5 on Google Play. What exactly do I have to do in order to activate my phone on the Sprint Network? I am used to just popping my SIM card into the new phone and it works but I know Sprint is a CDMA network and does not use SIM cards.
1. How do I get the phone activated on Sprint
2. Will it run just as good on Sprint as it would on AT&T? It will still work with LTE right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint does not have a byod line as far as I know unless you are going prepaid. Nobody knows yet if any of the mvnos will activate the nexus 5. You could always get an Iphone or something on your new line and sell it to cover your nexus cost and then some.
For a new line it would be much easier just to buy from sprint for $49.
Coverage/LTE will depend on your area but yes it will work.

lafester said:
Sprint does not have a byod line as far as I know unless you are going prepaid. Nobody knows yet if any of the mvnos will activate the nexus 5. You could always get an Iphone or something on your new line and sell it to cover your nexus cost and then some.
For a new line it would be much easier just to buy from sprint for $49.
Coverage/LTE will depend on your area but yes it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this page the Unlocked version will work on Sprint:
http://www.ibtimes.com/nexus-5-release-date-unlocked-model-will-run-sprint-network-1452872
I probably will get an iPhone or something just to sell it since I will be able to get a new phone on contract pricing but I still need to know how to actually activate my Nexus when I get it. I was thinking about getting the $50 Nexus through Sprint but I am afraid if I do that I it will not be the exact same model. I don't want any Sprint bloatware on my phone and I don't want to get updates later than the rest. I also want to make sure the phone I get is heavily supported by developers. There is just too many unknowns on the Sprint model that I am scared to get it.
So anyway, do I just call Sprint to activate my device?

jedinegotiator said:
According to this page the Unlocked version will work on Sprint:
http://www.ibtimes.com/nexus-5-release-date-unlocked-model-will-run-sprint-network-1452872
I probably will get an iPhone or something just to sell it since I will be able to get a new phone on contract pricing but I still need to know how to actually activate my Nexus when I get it. I was thinking about getting the $50 Nexus through Sprint but I am afraid if I do that I it will not be the exact same model. I don't want any Sprint bloatware on my phone and I don't want to get updates later than the rest. I also want to make sure the phone I get is heavily supported by developers. There is just too many unknowns on the Sprint model that I am scared to get it.
So anyway, do I just call Sprint to activate my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no 'sprint' model they are the same device. So to activate you will need to get a sim card from sprint and then you can either chat, call, use the online activation or go to the store to get set up.

lafester said:
There is no 'sprint' model they are the same device. So to activate you will need to get a sim card from sprint and then you can either chat, call, use the online activation or go to the store to get set up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you get a sim without going to a store? I see no where online to order one.

jedinegotiator said:
According to this page the Unlocked version will work on Sprint:
http://www.ibtimes.com/nexus-5-release-date-unlocked-model-will-run-sprint-network-1452872
I probably will get an iPhone or something just to sell it since I will be able to get a new phone on contract pricing but I still need to know how to actually activate my Nexus when I get it. I was thinking about getting the $50 Nexus through Sprint but I am afraid if I do that I it will not be the exact same model. I don't want any Sprint bloatware on my phone and I don't want to get updates later than the rest. I also want to make sure the phone I get is heavily supported by developers. There is just too many unknowns on the Sprint model that I am scared to get it.
So anyway, do I just call Sprint to activate my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solutions Etcetera said:
How do you get a sim without going to a store? I see no where online to order one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get a SIM, either go into the Sprint store. Or go online to the chat (you'll need an existing Sprint acct for this).
To activate, just call the big S and give them the info that they ask for

There's a thread going about this already that has some good info:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2507893
Sent from my Evo LTE

lafester said:
There is no 'sprint' model they are the same device. So to activate you will need to get a sim card from sprint and then you can either chat, call, use the online activation or go to the store to get set up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So there is nothing different? No sprint bloatware? And is it unlocked?

jedinegotiator said:
So there is nothing different? No sprint bloatware? And is it unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. There's one APK that all of the phones have though. Sprint Hidden Menu. I wouldn't consider it bloatware though.
Sent from my Nexus 7

Cheater912 said:
Correct. There's one APK that all of the phones have though. Sprint Hidden Menu. I wouldn't consider it bloatware though.
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but just to be clear, Sprint will sell an unlocked phone? Has that ever been done before? Do you have a source? Not to discredit you but it seems that I should just buy it from Sprint instead of Google Play if there is no real differences. I just want to be sure.

jedinegotiator said:
Sorry but just to be clear, Sprint will sell an unlocked phone? Has that ever been done before? Do you have a source? Not to discredit you but it seems that I should just buy it from Sprint instead of Google Play if there is no real differences. I just want to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a source atm, but that's all I've heard around the forums. You need to start a 2 year contract to get the phone at their low price though ($50 I think?). They're selling an off-contract one for $400 too. Same device all around.
Sent from my Nexus 7

Cheater912 said:
Correct. There's one APK that all of the phones have though. Sprint Hidden Menu. I wouldn't consider it bloatware though.
Sent from my Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is it the sim card that creatures this apk? Because if you order it from the play store it obviously will not come with that apk.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

mjs2011 said:
So is it the sim card that creatures this apk? Because if you order it from the play store it obviously will not come with that apk.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty certain it does come with it.
Sent from my Nexus 7

jedinegotiator said:
Sorry but just to be clear, Sprint will sell an unlocked phone? Has that ever been done before? Do you have a source? Not to discredit you but it seems that I should just buy it from Sprint instead of Google Play if there is no real differences. I just want to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the first time they have ever done it. This also means that the phone will be updated directly by google, with no carrier approvals/delays- which is also unprecedented for CDMA.
I myself am very surprised more people are not talking about this.

I stopped at a Sprint store today and asked about activating a phone bought from Google directly and they said it couldn't be done? Is that the case? I have about 5 months remaining on my contract with Sprint before I go on to another carrier.

mumbles202 said:
I stopped at a Sprint store today and asked about activating a phone bought from Google directly and they said it couldn't be done? Is that the case? I have about 5 months remaining on my contract with Sprint before I go on to another carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been confirmed that you can activate this phone on Sprint. The guys at the store didn't know what they were talking about.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

robber said:
This is the first time they have ever done it. This also means that the phone will be updated directly by google, with no carrier approvals/delays- which is also unprecedented for CDMA.
I myself am very surprised more people are not talking about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it seems like this would be big news. Its also the first sprint tri band phone to be released unless you count the few sprint g2s out in the wild.

mumbles202 said:
I stopped at a Sprint store today and asked about activating a phone bought from Google directly and they said it couldn't be done? Is that the case? I have about 5 months remaining on my contract with Sprint before I go on to another carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good deal. Will order a SIM tomorrow. So 1 device, all 3 carriers? Perfect.
Tried chat last night, and then calling in today but getting the run around. Was told I had to go corporate repair store; called store and was told that they don't normally stock SIM cards and that they won't have a N5 compatible one for a while until there shipment of phones comes in. I have sero account but this is the first time it has been an issue getting service.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

For anyone buying the Essential Phone outright to use on Sprint, beware.

Do NOT activate the phone directly after getting it from Best Buy/ Essential, as it'll lock your device to Sprint. They won't be able to unlock it in Sprint, or by using Sprint tech support either. I went to a Sprint store, and was told they cannot unlock in-store. I was then told to contact their support number, and was transferred 8 times to the highest level of tech support, which ended in them telling me there was absolutely no way to unlock it. So, I was forced to take it back to Best Buy, and have to wait till Wednesday for it to arrive. Apparently Sprint sims will lock to your phone if it's taken to them directly and activated, so I'd suggest putting in a VZW sim and then activating the phone on Sprint. Don't make the same mistake I made.

TheF|ipSide said:
Do NOT activate the phone directly after getting it from Best Buy/ Essential, as it'll lock your device to Sprint. They won't be able to unlock it in Sprint, or by using Sprint tech support either. I went to a Sprint store, and was told they cannot unlock in-store. I was then told to contact their support number, and was transferred 8 times to the highest level of tech support, which ended in them telling me there was absolutely no way to unlock it. So, I was forced to take it back to Best Buy, and have to wait till Wednesday for it to arrive. Apparently Sprint sims will lock to your phone if it's taken to them directly and activated, so I'd suggest putting in a VZW sim and then activating the phone on Sprint. Don't make the same mistake I made.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. It works when I put my FreedomPop Sim in
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Jonathanlc2005 said:
Not true. It works when I put my FreedomPop Sim in
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FreedomPop uses Sprint network. So, before saying not true, it'd be better for someone who tried other network other than Sprint network including MVNO to confirm.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

PowerPC said:
FreedomPop uses Sprint network. So, before saying not true, it'd be better for someone who tried other network other than Sprint network including MVNO to confirm.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once again... Not true. It also uses TMobile and I connected to hspa+ fine
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Jonathanlc2005 said:
Once again... Not true. It also uses TMobile and I connected to hspa+ fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol you want screenshots of Sprint causing my phone to become locked? I can throw up pictures of my receipts of buying a UNLOCKED Essential phone, and then it becoming magically locked when my Sprint sim was inserted in it. It also rejected AT&T AND T-Mobile sims. Why would I fabricate a story of my phone becoming locked? The Sprint store reps told me this is something that happens a lot, along with Best buy employees telling me they had this happen before. Only reason I posted this was to make sure this happened to no one else. The only way this just happened to just me is if Essential accidentally shipped a locked Sprint phone out that was packaged like an unlocked phone, and I was just unfortunate enough to receive it. Or maybe I just imagined spending an hour and a half speaking to Sprint reps trying to unlock my phone and the about phone section and activation status on my phone are just bogus.....

Some more details that might be useful for buyers:
1. In store pickup seems to make the phone lock to Sprint, even if the first time you turn it on its with a different SIM inside.
2. People have reported Essential phone being unlocked if you choose delivery instead and use another SIM on first turn on of the device.

What kind of analogy is this.. putting VZW sim then activate to Sprint.
Picked-up mine and its unlock. No mumbo jumbo

To be clear, OP is saying (I think) if you first turn on phone with sprint sim and activate it, it will lock to Sprints SIM.
If you first activate it with a different sim, you will have no problems with any sim, including sprint.
Has anyone bought an unlocked phone and first activated it with a Sprint Sim?

My question is.. Why would you buy the Sprint variant outright? Why not buy the unlocked modem from best buy, amazon or essential? Its cheaper too.. Then put your sprint sim.

tlxxxsracer said:
My question is.. Why would you buy the Sprint variant outright? Why not buy the unlocked modem from best buy, amazon or essential? Its cheaper too.. Then put your sprint sim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't. I bought an unlocked one from Best buy and took it directly to Sprint to get it activated. When they did, it carrier locked my device, and I was only receiving Sprint updates... Either Essential shipped me a locked Sprint phone, or Sprint locked it when I activated my phone that I owned, which is illegal.

It's easy to see what variant in Fastboot. It will show Variant - Sprint if it is flashed with Sprint software. Are you sure Best Buy didn't just accidentally grab a Sprint model by accident?
When you get your new one power up by holding down Volume Down to get to Fastboot and check the Variant tag.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Isn't the bootloader unlocked so you can just flash a new rom? Did the Sprint SIM lock the bootloader?

bobloadmire said:
Isn't the bootloader unlocked so you can just flash a new rom? Did the Sprint SIM lock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same question

I can flash LOS but I still remain carrier locked. In fastboot it shows I am using the Open-US variant, but my device is locked to Sprint. So frustrated right now.

What if the variant just says Sprint?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jesus359 said:
What if the variant just says Sprint?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Minesays that and I'm locked. No issue. I'll have them unlock it after 50 days... I'm on free year plan.

You bought the Sprint one not the unlocked one. They sell SPRINT at best buy
---------- Post added at 05:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 AM ----------
TheF|ipSide said:
I didn't. I bought an unlocked one from Best buy and took it directly to Sprint to get it activated. When they did, it carrier locked my device, and I was only receiving Sprint updates... Either Essential shipped me a locked Sprint phone, or Sprint locked it when I activated my phone that I owned, which is illegal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're wrong. I work for Sprint and activating it doesn't lock it to Sprint. I have Sprint also and bought the unlocked version online and I can use my vzw sim just fine

seshaz said:
You bought the Sprint one not the unlocked one. They sell SPRINT at best buy
---------- Post added at 05:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 AM ----------
You're wrong. I work for Sprint and activating it doesn't lock it to Sprint. I have Sprint also and bought the unlocked version online and I can use my vzw sim just fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought unlocked at Best Buy. Variant is Open US in bootloader. I don't use on sprint, so I wouldn't know if it locks. Best buy does sell unlocked.

in Fastboot mode check the variant and it should say "OPENUS"

seshaz said:
You bought the Sprint one not the unlocked one. They sell SPRINT at best buy
---------- Post added at 05:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 AM ----------
You're wrong. I work for Sprint and activating it doesn't lock it to Sprint. I have Sprint also and bought the unlocked version online and I can use my vzw sim just fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then why does it say I have the OPENUS version in the bootloader, and why does my receipt say I paid for an unlocked essential phone? Before making allegations, inform yourself.